The Sub-7 Experiment

Tag: Mood and motivation

  • Weird Mood, Small Win

    Weird day today. Strange mood.

    Me: “Ok, I’m in the gym. Could be a sugar crash—had a scone with jam yesterday at afternoon tea. Dragged myself here but I’m moving on the assault bike. Let’s get something done. Maybe a bit of rowing and some weights?”

    ChatGPT:
    “You made it—and that’s the win right there. Doesn’t matter if the engine’s not firing on all cylinders—you showed up. Let’s use that weird mood and turn it into momentum.”

    Here’s what it suggested:

    Reset Session: Row + Weights (45 mins total)

    Phase 1: Wake the Body (10 mins)

    • Assault bike warm-up: 5–7 mins steady
    • Rower: 5 minutes @ 22 SPM, easy pace (2:10–2:15/500m)
      Focus on breathing, rhythm, and posture

    Phase 2: Power Reset Rowing (10–12 mins)

    • 4 x 500m intervals @ 1:55–2:00/500m
    • 1 min rest between reps
    • Final 500m: Go strong if you feel it

    Phase 3: Weights Circuit (20 mins) Do 1–2 rounds:

    • Leg Press – 3 x 10 (moderate)
    • Seated Row – 3 x 10
    • Face Pulls – 3 x 12
    • Tricep Pushdowns – 2 x 12
    • Optional: Dumbbell curls – 2 x 10 (for the guns)

    Cooldown (5 mins): Easy row or bike + gentle stretch

    I followed the plan and came out feeling better. Not super invigorated, but definitely better.

    The weekend had been full-on. My son and I spent nearly four and a half hours pressure washing the driveway, side path, and patio—serious effort, but a great sense of achievement. Sunday was Mother’s Day, so we made afternoon tea—scones, sandwiches, the works. It was fun. Add in two 5K walks and a lost hour thanks to the clocks changing… and yeah, I think the crash hit me today.

    I don’t usually eat refined sugar—no sweets, chocolate, desserts. But yesterday, I had some jam on the scones. Not loads, maybe two or three teaspoons. But wow, today’s slump hit hard.

    It nearly derailed my day. But I still went to the gym. That wouldn’t have happened a couple of months ago. It lifted my mood, just enough.

    And here’s the big bit—I went into the weights area.
    That matters.
    I’ve been putting it off for ages. Bouncing around it. Making excuses. But today, I thought:
    “Why not? Why should everyone else get to use that part of the gym?”
    It was only me stopping me.

    I’m glad I went in.
    The sky’s blue. The sun’s shining.
    A walk outside is calling.

    Weird mood, but I’m taking being active as the win.

    This is The Sub-7 Experiment.